The New Lion shaping up well for potential Trials day blockbuster

Dan Skelton is relishing a potential Cheltenham Festival Trials day showdown against Sir Gino with The New Lion after keenly observing the best of the action over the festive period.

The front-runner for the trainers’ title has been steadfast in his belief his Festival winner has all the qualities to land the two-mile hurdling showpiece in March, despite falling in a dramatic Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.

And although watching on while many have been stating their Cheltenham claims, Skelton has continued to be delighted with his progress as he builds towards a Champion Hurdle dress rehearsal in the Unibet Hurdle at Prestbury Park on January 24.

Skelton said: “The New Lion jumped on New Year’s Day and jumped beautiful. We’ve jumped him three times since he fell and that’s the happiest we’ve been with him.

“It sounds like we might clash with Sir Gino on Trials day and we’d look forward to that.”

Set to join The New Lion at Cheltenham later this month is Skelton’s Betfair Chase hero Grey Dawning, who will put his Gold Cup credentials to the test in the Cotswold Chase.

Assessing the picture of some of the Festival’s biggest events, Skelton added: “Grey Dawning looks fantastic as well as The New Lion, so we’re happy with what we’ve got and our plan.

“Whether the others show their hand now or not until March, we know the opposition is going to be hard to beat.

“I think it’s a very open Gold Cup because there are so many quality horses and I think it’s becoming a slightly more concentrated Champion Hurdle. Sir Gino looked very good (in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day) and very speedy, so I would say he’s going to be very hard to beat.”